ENGLISH
REFERENCE

recount

n. countable
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˌɹiˈkaʊnt// re·count Archaic

n. a second count of something, usually votes in an election. This happens when the first count was very close or people think there was a mistake.

n. an additional count of something, specifically votes in an election, to verify the accuracy of the initial tally.


SIMPLE

The candidate demanded a recount after losing by only ten votes.

CONTEXTUAL

Following allegations of technical glitches, the electoral commission ordered a full manual recount of every paper ballot.

COMPLEX

The tension in the room was palpable as officials began the recount, knowing that a shift of just a few dozen votes could alter the political landscape of the entire region.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Old Northern French and Anglo-Norman recunter, variant of Old French reconter.

Etymology 2

From re- + count.

Usage

Commonly used in political and legal contexts; often follows the verbs 'demand', 'request', or 'order'.

Pitfall

The official recounted the story of the election.The official gave a recount of the votes.While the verb 'recount' can mean to tell a story, the noun 'recount' almost exclusively refers to a second tally of votes.

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